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It’s Australia vs New Zealand this Wednesday on the Gold Coast Conference Centre in Broadbeach, as Jai Opetaia defends his IBF cruiserweight title in opposition to former newbie standout David Nyika.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Mick Francis’ Tasman Fighters and Spencer Brown’s Goldstar promote Opetaia vs Nyika, with DAZN televising stay worldwide.
Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) got here of age in July 2022, when he took an sudden, however very good factors win in opposition to Mairis Briedis to take the IBF crown, and he made one defence, blowing away Jordan Thompson at Wembley Enviornment over a 12 months later.
The 29-year-old southpaw would then be stripped of his title after selecting to tackle the overmatched Ellis Zorro on the again finish of 2023, and the IBF have been confirmed proper with the Brit blasted out in lower than a spherical in Riyadh.
The Australian could be given the possibility to contest the vacant title a combat later, and in a rematch in opposition to Breidis, Opetaia once more prevailed, once more in a breathless unanimous verdict.
Opetaia places his IBF and Ring Journal cruiserweight titles on the road in opposition to Nyika Photograph Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The Aussie was final out in October 2024, overwhelming Jack Massey earlier than Massey’s nook threw the towel in throughout spherical six.
He now meets New Zealand native, Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs), a two-time Commonwealth video games champion, and Olympic Bronze medallist as an newbie.
As knowledgeable, he has made stable progress, solely going the space as soon as.
Nyika is undefeated in 10 skilled fights Photograph Credit score: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry
The 28-year-old is on a run of seven straight early wins, the final a 3rd spherical stoppage in opposition to former world title challenger, Tommy Karpency in Auckland in September.
Prediction: I believe Nyika will give Opetaia an honest argument right here, regardless of his lack {of professional} expertise. I believe Opetaia will retain his belt although, seemingly on the scorecards.
Huni faces Potgieter
The undercard sees promising heavyweight, Justis Huni defending his WBO World and IBF Pan Pacific titles in opposition to Shaun Potgieter over a scheduled ten.
Huni (11-0, 6 KOs) is a person making waves, and already holds resolution wins over Andrew Tabiti and Kevin Lerena, together with his final combat coming final month, a two spherical blowout of Leandro Daniel Robutti.
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South Africa’s Potgeiter (10-1, 7 KOs) is on a run of seven straight wins, and is the South African champion, however has by no means fought exterior of his homeland.
Prediction: Huni has impressed so far, and he can proceed his robust run right here with a stoppage win.
Remaining Undercard
Max McIntyre (6-0, 5 KOs) can take the vacant IBF Youth tremendous middleweight title by halting Abdulselam Saman (8-1, 1 KO), and Ben Mahoney (14-0-1, 8 KOs) can clinch the vacant IBF Pan Pacific tremendous welterweight title through the identical technique in opposition to Fan Zhang (8-2-1, 5 KOs).
The opposite ten rounder ought to see a factors win for Tayla Gentzen (6-0, 3 KOs) in opposition to Shauna Browne (4-0, 3 KOs), and within the sole eight rounder, Tony Ingram (6-0, 3 KOs) can outscore Runqi Zhou (8-2-1, 3 KOs).
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Thrilling heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana (5-0, 5 KOs) will get a run out over a scheduled six and he ought to win early in opposition to Osasu Otobo (11-1-1, 5 KOs).
In 4 rounders, gentle heavyweight novice Billy McAllister (2-0, 2 KOs) can take a stoppage win over Jordan Cities (2-2, 1 KO), and Kodi Shallali (1-1) can take victory on the playing cards in opposition to Albert Tu’ua (1-1).
Jai Williams can win the battle of the debutants in opposition to Jag Guthmann-Chester on factors.
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Publish date : 2025-01-06 13:25:03
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